Art of framing pictures, mirrors, and the like



Jan. 4, 1944. H, F|RK$ 2,338,172

ART oF FRAMING PICTURES, MIRRORS, AND THE LIKE Filed oct. 15, 1942 Patented Jan. 4, 1944 l ART OF FRAlVIING PICTURES, MIRRORS, LAND THE LIKE Theodore H. Firks, Chicago, Ill.

Application `October 15, 1942, Serial No. 462,079

3 Claims.

This invention relates to the art of framing pictures, mirrors and the like, and its principal object is to eliminate the use of metal picture frames. Another object is to provide artistic and ornamental means to frame pictures, mirrors and the like, which can be easily and readily applied to the article to be framed.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the course of this specification and with said objects and advantages in view this invention consists in the several novel features hereinafter fully set forth and claimed.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a framed picture, illustrating a simple embodiment of the present invention, partly broken out.

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation thereof, partly in longitudinal section.

Fig. 3 is an end elevation upon an enlarged scale, partly in cross section.

Referring to said drawing, the reference character 5, designates a'sheet upon which the picture is displayed; 6 designates a mat overlying the picture sheet; 1 designates a glass or other transparent plate overlying the mat and 8 designates a relatively stiif cardboard or other backing, placed against the back of the picture sheet. These several elements are of the same size and contour and comprise the picture assembly.

Extending along the top and bottom of the picture assembly and if desired along the side edges, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, are dowels 9, I0, desirably composed of wood, either of cylindrical or many sided form, grooved longitudinally as at II, to receive the edge portions of the picture assembly. Connecting the opposite dowels is an endless, ilexible element I2, such as a piece of stout cord, picture Wire or the like, which extends on the rear side of the picture assembly. The end portions of the endless element I2, pass through widely spaced apertures I3 in the dowels and lie in deeper grooves I4 therein so as to permit the picture assembly to seat on the bottoms of the grooves I I without interference by the parts I5 of the endless elements I2 that are conned in the recess or grooves I4.

The main parallel strands I6 of the endless elements are threaded through apertures I'l, I8, formed in tensioning devices I9, one disposedadjacent each dowel and adapted to be adjusted along the main parallel strands I6 of the endless element. The apertures in the tensioning devices I9 are arranged much closer than the apertures I3 in the dowels, whereby the end parts 20 of less element under tension, thereby drawing the dowels tightly against the edge portions of the picture assembly, and thereby effectively securing the dowels upon the picture assembly.

The upper tensioning device may -be formed with an aperture 2l adjacent its upper edge whereby the picture may be suspended from a nail or other similar support.

The endless element is of sufficient extent so that when the tensioning devices are moved to a position adjacent the middle of the article, there is suicent slack to permit the dowels to be disengaged from the edge portions of the picture assembly,

It is to be observed that when suspended from the upper tensioning device, the tendency is to increase the tension on the endless element thereby drawing the two dowels more tightly upon the picture assembly.

I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In the art of picture framing, a picture assembly, oppositely disposed grooved dowels embracing opposite edge portions ofthe picture assembly, an endless flexible element extending between said dowels and having end parts threaded through relatively widely spaced apertures therein, and tensioning devices, each having aligned apertures spaced laterally a distance less than that of the apertures in the dowels, the main parts of the endless element being threaded through the apertures in the tensioning devices, with their end parts diverging towards the apertures in the dowels, whereby tension is placed on said endless elements when the tensioning devices are moved apart.

2. In the art of picture framing, a picture assembly, oppositely disposed grooved dowels embracing opposite edge portions of the picture assembly, an endless flexible element extending between said dowels and having end parts threaded through relatively widely spaced apertures therein, and tensioning devices, each having aligned apertures spaced laterally a distance less than that of the apertures in the dowels, the main parts of the endless element being threaded through the apertures in the tensioning devices, with their end parts diverging towards the apertures in the dowels, whereby tension is placed on said endless elements when the tensioning devices are moved apart, one tensioning device hav..

ing an aperture adapted to receive a supporting element.

3. In the art of picture framing, a picture assembly, oppositely disposed grooved dowels embracing opposite edge portions of the picture assembly, there being transverse apertures in said dowels and deeper grooves `between said apertures, an endless flexible element extending between said dowels and having parts threaded through said apertures and lying in said deeper 10 grooves, and tensioning devices having aligned apertures spaced laterally a distance less than the apertures in the dovvels the main parts of the endless element being threaded through the aperutres in the tensioning devices, with their end parts diverging towards the apertures in the dowels, whereby tension is placed on said endless elements when the tensioning devices are moved apart.

THEODORE H. FIRKS. 

